The signing ceremony for the F-16 Block-30 ÖZGÜR-2 and F-16 Block 40/50 ÖZGÜR-2 initiatives, initiated by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) to satisfy the modernization wants of the Turkish Air Force Command, and to be carried out by TUSAŞ as the primary contractor, befell on the sixteenth International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF’23).
Speaking on the signing ceremony, the President of the Presidency of Defense Industries, Haluk Görgün, acknowledged that F-16 plane had started to enter the stock of the Turkish Air Force Command within the Eighties and has been the placing power of the Turkish Air Force Command till at this time.
Görgün reported that inside the scope of the National Mission Computer Development (ÖZGÜR) Project, initiated by the Presidency, the event, together with the modernization of F-16 plane with nationwide avionic gear and the combination of nationwide ammunition and pods to the plane with software program and {hardware} modifications, had been utilized to 2 F-16 Block-30 plane, and acceptance actions have been accomplished in May. He additionally acknowledged, “Activities for the structural improvement and ÖZGÜR modernization of all F-16 Block-30 aircraft in the inventory are ongoing, and we aim to complete the modernization by the end of 2025.”
“It is evident that we have entered a highly intense and fast-paced period.”
Providing details about the initiatives, Görgün acknowledged:
“Within the scope of the F-16 Block-30 ÖZGÜR-2 Project, the combination of munitions, miniature bombs, and ASELPOD’s External Load Certification to the Özgür Aircraft, AESA Nose Radar integration, T Link, IFF BSC, RNE, and 9681 V/UHF air radio gear integration for the modernized F-16 Block 30 ÖZGÜR Aircraft below the FEWS and Gökdoğan Integration Project Contract, in addition to the combination of Bozdoğan and HGK-82 munitions might be realized.
Under the F-16 Block-40/50 ÖZGÜR-2 Project, structural enchancment engineering actions and integration of nationwide gear/munitions, together with the ÖZGÜR Suite and AESA radar, FEWS, T Link, IFF BSC, RNE, ASELPOD, 9681 V/UHF air radio, and SOM, HGK, KGK, LGK, Gökdoğan, and Bozdoğan, might be carried out on the F-16 Block 40/50 prototype plane.”
Görgün acknowledged that the deliveries inside the scope of the F-16 Block-30 ÖZGÜR-2 Project have been focused to be accomplished between 2025-2027, and the deliveries inside the scope of the F-16 Block-40/50 ÖZGÜR-2 Project have been focused to be accomplished between 2028-2030.
Görgün offered the knowledge that with these initiatives, the F-16 ÖZGÜR plane could be extra succesful than the Viper plane, and mentioned, “Considering all F-16 projects, it is certain that we have entered a highly intense and fast-paced period. Our path will be long and filled with challenges. When we come together hand in hand, I am sure that, just like in the past, we will overcome all the difficulties in the future.”
Source: www.anews.com.tr
